Manufacturers are operating in a period of both opportunity and uncertainty. Buyer demand remains strong in a competitive M&A market, but shifting tariff policies, heightened immigration enforcement, and an evolving regulatory agenda are reshaping how companies plan for growth.
At the same time, expanded federal incentives such as New Markets Tax Credits offer fresh avenues for investment, while increased False Claims Act scrutiny and labor priorities from the NLRB add new layers of compliance complexity.
To help industry leaders prepare for what’s next, Manufacturing & Industrial: Outlook & Trends examines the factors shaping today’s environment. The report explores:
- Tariffs in Transition – Recent court challenges to President Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose sweeping tariffs could redefine the limits of executive authority. Ongoing litigation in the Court of International Trade, the D.C. District Court, and the Federal Circuit will clarify what tariff actions are legally permissible, with significant implications for manufacturers and importers.
- Escalating False Claims Act (FCA) Enforcement – The Department of Justice is prioritizing domestic preference laws such as the Buy American Act (BAA) and Trade Agreements Act (TAA), with new cases targeting routine procurement transactions in addition to large-scale fraud. Enforcement efforts increasingly focus on customs fraud and tariff evasion schemes, and penalties continue to rise—now reaching up to $28,619 per violation. Manufacturers and contractors should expect continued scrutiny and prepare accordingly.
- Deal Activity and Workforce Readiness – Dealmaking remains robust, but companies must weigh risk management alongside growth. At the same time, workforce readiness challenges persist, shaping how manufacturers plan for long-term competitiveness.
- Labor Relations and NLRB Priorities – A changing agenda at the National Labor Relations Board is reshaping compliance expectations and workplace dynamics.
These insights provide a roadmap for staying agile and competitive amid rapidly changing conditions.
Download Manufacturing & Industrial: Outlook & Trends to access the full analysis.